Field Hockey

Blais Steps Down as SHU Field Hockey Coach After Ten Seasons

Chris Blais

Feb 27, 2012

(Fairfield, CT) – Chris Blais, head coach of the Sacred Heart Field Hockey team for 10 seasons, has announced her resignation. Blais recently gave birth to her second child, and will be stepping down to focus on her family.

"Chris developed the women's field hockey program from its infancy, devoting more than 10 years establishing richly deserved credibility in the region and beyond, as well consistent presence in conference post-season competition," said C. Donald Cook, Executive Director of Athletics. "Chris successfully recruited young women who balanced the rigors of sport with academics. In addition, she was a leader among our coaches in community service, devoting numerous hours helping families and communities less fortunate to improve the quality of their lives. We've been very fortunate to have Chris on our coaching staff. She always exuded a special quality of professionalism in everything she did…passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to her sport. More importantly, as a role model she developed young women to be leaders and role models in the community. We've been fortunate that Chris dedicated so many years to Sacred Heart. We've been truly blessed to have her on our staff."

During Blais' tenure as head coach, she led the Pioneers to eight Northeast Conference (NEC) Postseason Tournament appearances. She coached 33 All-Conference players, 2 NEC Rookies of the Year, an NEC Player of the Year, an NEC Defensive Player of the year, an NEC Goalie of the Year, and three Mideast Region All-Americans. In each of her ten seasons, her team won National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Team Awards and numerous NFHCA National Academic Squad recipients (approximately 100 over the past 9 years).

The 1995 Penn State graduate was an NCAA All-American, a three-time All-Big Ten Academic Athletic honoree, and the recipient of the Academic-Athletic Achievement Award before her coaching career.

A national search for Chris Blais' replacement as head coach of Sacred Heart Field Hockey will begin immediately.